Riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion

ABSTRACT

A riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion, has a base frame, supporting an intermediate wheeled horizontal frame, supporting an upper wheeled frame with seat pad, which supports the user. A horizontal bar frame with hand/foot grips is provided, which is pivotally attached to vertical posts, which are rigidly attached as a frame to a pipe, which pipe acts as the pivotal member for the attached said base frame to be raised to a vertical inactive parked position. With hand or foot use of the hand/foot grips, the user can propel himself in any horizontal motion. Exercise is caused by acceleration of the user and wheeled frame masses in a horizontal plane, and by braking apparatuses between frames.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable (No similar invention was found.)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an exercise machine, and more particularly to a riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion.

[0003] In recent years the value of staying physically fit has become universally recognized, and sought after by men and women of all ages, with a high emphasis on the cardiovascular system. To this end, a wide variety of exercise equipment has been provided for use in fitness centers and in homes. Fitness centers, which have ample space and financial resources, tend to provide a variety of specialty equipment which concentrates on the exercise of very specific muscle groups. However, family units have limited space and financial resources. Consequently, families need an exercise machine which is space effective and economical, and which: can exercise the entire body with a minimal number of operations; is primarily aerobic in nature, but able to provide significant resistance for anaerobic exercise; is easy to operate and adjust, and can be operated by any member of the family, including the disabled; and has no user body impact or other detrimental affects.

[0004] Many machines which have been invented are either aerobic or anaerobic. Those machines which are primarily aerobic, such as cycles: are simple in nature, but tend to involve only the lower body, have a one directional action (not push/pull), and exercise a limited number of muscles.

[0005] Machines which are primarily aerobic, but involve the upper and lower body, such as rowing and riding machines, have a prescribed motion path, either one direction horizontally, or a combined vertical motion, and tend to have multiple simultaneous activities and multiple user body load paths (legs and arms). The multiple simultaneous activities tend to be difficult to perform. The multiple user body load paths cause the user to decide which path to emphasize, reducing the effectiveness of the other path.

[0006] Both of the above types of aerobic machines operate in a linear horizontal direction, or combine a vertical motion, but do not allow transverse motion. Consequently the use of associated muscle groups is greatly reduced.

[0007] Finally, machines which are primarily anaerobic, are either multi-functional, or concentrate on one muscle group. Because of space limitations, only the multi-functional machines are of use in most family units. While these machines exercise the entire body, but only one muscle group at a time, they tend to be complex, spacious, not user friendly to all family members, and not aerobic.

[0008] Additionally, many of the above machines are complex in operation, using multiple moving parts, such as cables, pulleys, weights, stretch bands, and levers.

[0009] Specifically, applicant has developed a riding type machine with horizontal free planar motion which can exercise the user's entire lower or upper body, with one machine operation for each, using a single user body load path; is primarily aerobic in nature, using variable directional momentum as force resistance, and is able to provide supplemental user adjusted braking resistance for both push and pull anaerobic exercise; is easy to operate and adjust, and can be used by any member of the family, including the disabled; and has no user body impact or other detrimental affects. Finally, this machine is simple in construction, resulting in cost effectiveness, and can be parked to minimize space usage while inactive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides a riding type machine with horizontal free planar motion. The apparatus comprises of: a horizontal base frame, which can be parked in a vertical position; an intermediate wheeled horizontal frame, which rides upon the base frame, with adjustable brakes to resist user longitudinal motion; an upper wheeled horizontal frame and padded seat, which rides upon the intermediate wheeled horizontal frame, with adjustable brakes to resist user lateral motion; a stationery vertical frame, which the base frame is pivotally attached to; and a horizontal pipe frame, with positionally adjustable hand/foot grips, which frame is pivotally attached to said stationery vertical frame, allowing said horizontal bar to be adjusted vertically to set the height of said grips.

[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion, which makes use of the momentum of the user's body and machine frames, to provide a uniform push and pull resistence throughout the exercise cycle.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion, which adds a two-directional frame braking system, to cause additional uniform push and pull resistence throughout the exercise cycle.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion, which makes use of hand/foot grips, which can be adjusted to any convenient height or spacing to provide a user selected variation in the orientation of the user body load path during said exercise cycle.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a riding type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion, which can be parked in a vertical position when inactive.

[0015] Some of the objects of the invention have been stated, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective of the riding type exercise machine embodying the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise machine (seat pad not shown);

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the exercise machine showing the first of the two primary operating modes, upper body exercise;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the exercise machine showing the second of the two primary operating modes, lower body exercise;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the exercise machine showing the parked and inoperative mode;

[0021]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of the base frame pivotal connection with locking device;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of the support wheels for the wheeled frames;

[0023]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of the guide wheels for the wheeled frames;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of the hold-down device for the wheeled frames;

[0025]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective of breaking mechanism between frames;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective of the hand/foot grip on the handlebar;

[0027]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective of the handlebar vertical adjustment mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the preferred embodiment of a riding type exercise machine according to the present invention is shown to comprise a base frame 10, an intermediate wheeled frame 20, a wheeled frame with seat pad 30, a stationery frame 40 and a horizontal bar frame 50 with hand/foot grips.

[0029] Base frame 10 includes two rails 12 which support intermediate wheeled frame 20, and one guide and braking rail 11 which guides and assists braking for intermediate wheeled frame 20. Said rails 11 and 12 are rigidly connected at their rear ends to transverse member 16. Said rail 11 is rigidly connected at its front end to transverse member 17. Transverse member 17 is rigidly connected to said rails 12. Said rails 12 are rigidly connected at their front end to pivotal junction boxes 13 (FIG. 6) which pivots about, and locks with member 41.

[0030] Intermediate wheeled frame 20 includes two rails 22 which support upper wheeled frame 30, and one guide and braking rail 21 which guides and assists braking for upper wheeled frame 30. Said rails 21 and 22 are rigidly connected at each end to transverse members 23. Intermediate frame 20 includes vertical wheel assemblies 24 (FIG. 7) for riding on rail 12. Intermediate frame 20 also includes two horizontal wheel assemblies 26 (FIG. 8) in order for frame 20 to maintain its directional orientation. Intermediate frame 20 also includes hold down clips 27 (FIG. 9) in order to keep frame 20 attached normally to frame 10 when the machine is placed in its park position, as shown in FIG. 5. Intermediate frame 20 further includes two braking clamps 28 (FIG. 10), which grip rail 11, for the purpose of resisting longitudinal motion 5 of frame 20.

[0031] Upper wheeled frame 30 is constructed similar to intermediate frame 20. Upper frame 30 includes vertical wheel assemblies 34 (FIG. 7) for riding on rail 22. Upper frame 30 also includes two horizontal wheel assemblies 36 (FIG. 8) in order for frame 30 to maintain its directional orientation. Upper frame 30 also includes hold down clip 37 (FIG. 9) in order to keep frame 30 attached to frame 20 when the machine is placed in its park position, as shown in FIG. 5. Frame 30 further includes two braking clamps 38 (FIG. 10), which grip rail 21, for the purpose of resisting lateral motion 7 of frame 30.

[0032] Stationery frame 40 includes a horizontal pipe member 41 which is rigidly attached to members 42 at each end. As stated previously, pipe member 41 is the pivotal member for placing and locking the base frame 10 in its operational and parked positions. Frame 40 also includes members 42 which extend vertically to pivotal assemblies 45 (FIG. 12). Frame 40 also includes to feet plates 43, on the outer side of members 42, for the purpose of stabilizing the machine in its parked position, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] Horizontal bar frame 50 includes a horizontal pipe member 51 for optional gripping, which includes two hand/foot grips 55 (FIG. 11) which are pivotally and longitudinally clamped to member 51. Said member 51 is rigidly attached at each end to members 52. Members 52 and in turn rigidly connected to vertical plates 84 and 85, shown in FIG. 12, which are part of pivotal assembly 45, for the vertical positioning of member 51. Also included in frame 50 are two diagonal members 53 between members 51 and 52, for the purpose of stiffening frame 50.

[0034] Said Pivotal Junction box 15, shown in FIG. 6, for the purpose of allowing pivotal rotation of member 12 with respect to stationary member 41, is comprised of a steel box 13, with circular cutouts to match member 41, and circular holes 60, 90 degrees apart, to receive pin from locking device 61, which is rigidly connected to member 41.

[0035] Said Vertical Wheel Assembly 24 and 34, shown in FIG. 7, is comprised of two vertical plates 63, rigidly attached to frame 30 or member 22, which holds a horizontal bolt 64, which hold a wheel 65, which rolls along members 12 or 22, for the purpose of supporting frames 20 or 30.

[0036] Said Horizontal Wheel Assembly 26 and 36, shown in FIG. 8, is comprised of one horizontal plate 67, rigidly attached to frame 30 or member 22, which holds two vertical bolts 68, which hold two wheels 69 which roll along both sides of members 11 or 21, for the purpose of causing frames 20 or 30 to maintain their directional orientation.

[0037] Said Hold Down Clamp 27 and 37, shown in FIG. 9, is comprised of a steel “U” strap 71, rigidly attached to frame 30 or member 22, for the purpose of restraining members 11 or 21 from departing from frame 30 or member 22 while machine is in its parked position.

[0038] Said Braking Clamp 28 and 38, shown in FIG. 10, is comprised of two bolts 73 which pivotally connect plates 74 to frame 30 or member 22. Plates 74 are pulled together by bolting device 75, which apply pressure by way of spring 76, for the purpose of providing a more flexible adjustment. Plate member 74 applies pressure to member 11 or 21 by way of frictional element 77. The preferred material for element 77 is hard rubber.

[0039] Said Hand/Foot Grip 55, shown in FIG. 11, is comprised of a steel box 79 with circular cutouts to match member 51, a hand grip 80 which is rotated to cause clamping action against member 51, thus restraining pivotal and longitudinal motion of the hand/foot grips 55 with respect to member 51, and an adjustable, flexible strap 81 attached to member 79, for the purpose of inserting the users foot for push/pull action.

[0040] Said Pivotal Assembly 45, shown in FIG. 12, for the purpose of allowing pivotal rotation of member 52 with respect to stationary member 42, is comprised of a pivot bolt 83, two vertical circular plates 84 and 85, each having aligned holes 86 at set increments of pivot, and a locking pin 87 to stop pivot at a position chosen by the user.

[0041] Said upper wheeled frame 30 is also provided with optional slip-on extensions 31 and 32. Extension 31 is for the purpose of supporting the user's back and extension 32 is for the purpose of supporting the user's legs.

[0042] Exercise

[0043] When horizontal motion of the user and the wheeled frames is caused by use of the hand grips, the body load path is through the hands, arms, shoulders, and upper body, causing exercise of all muscle groups in these areas. A secondary effect is in the muscles of the lower body due to stabilization. The degree of strain is through use of the breaking systems, as determined by the user.

[0044] When horizontal motion of the user and the wheeled frames is caused by use of the foot grips, the body load path is through the feet, legs and hips, causing exercise of all muscle groups in these areas. A secondary effect is in the muscles of the upper body due to stabilization. The degree of strain is through use of the breaking systems, as determined by the user.

[0045] Alternatives and Enhancements

[0046] It will be understood that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention; for example, variations in material, member and element types, motion resisting devices, and functional conveniences are possible. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims. The present invention represents what is considered to be the basic best configuration for the intended purpose. 

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. An exercise machine comprising: (a) a base frame with two positions—operational and park; (b) an intermediate wheeled horizontal frame for allowing the user to move in the faced direction; (c) an upper wheeled frame with pad allowing the user to move normal to the faced direction, with: (1) horizontal pad extensions for leg support; and (2) a vertical back rest for back support; (d) a stationery frame comprised of vertical posts and horizontal base pipe, which horizontal pipe pivotally supports the base frame; (e) by use of the aforementioned horizontal pipe, the base frame can be raised to a vertical inactive park position, along with attached wheeled frames; (f) horizontal bar frame pivotally attached to vertical posts, facilitating vertical positioning of said horizontal bar: (1) with a pair of hand/foot grips, which can be adjusted pivotally about and long the horizontal bar to suit hand and foot positioning; (2) for the user to propel himself in any horizontal motion. 